- 1). Open the PT Cruiser's driver's side door. Reach into the leg space and locate the Cruiser's diagnostic port. This outlet connects directly to the Cruiser's powertrain control module. If you look to the left of the brake pedal, you will find it under the dashboard and next to the left kick panel.
- 2). Attach your scanner to its diagnostic cable. For most scanners, the cable attaches at the bottom. Then, attach the cable to to the Cruiser's DLC port. The cable ends in a 16-prong plug. The DLC features 16 prong-receiving slots, and it is usually made of either black or gray plastic. Plug the cable into into the DLC outlet. Press the scanner's "On" button.
- 3). Place your key into the Cruiser's ignition cylinder and switch to "On." Some brands of OBD-II hardware only need the electrical system and PCM activated. Other scanners, code readers, or tuners may also need the engine turned on.
- 4). Wait a second or two for your device to retrieve OBD-II codes from the PT Cruiser's PCM. If your scanner came without auto-retrieval programming, you will need to press the appropriate buttons for a "scan" or "read" command. Due to different configurations and button orientation, there is no universal way of doing this. Consult your device's user's manual and follow the instructions there.
- 5). Copy the OBD-II codes off your device's display screen onto a sheet of looseleaf paper. If you own a higher-end, more sophisticated scanner, you may not need to do this. Some scanners come with a USB cable you can connect directly to a personal computer.
- 6). Place an asterisk next to codes labeled as "pending." Pending codes do not activate your Cruiser's check engine light, but they are worth investigating anyway. Your scanner will differentiate between them and "Trouble" codes, often by assigning a special icon. How your scanner exactly does this depends on the brand and manufacturer. Some scanners will use an special icon, and some will not. Consult your scanner's manual to familiarize yourself with its set of particular set of icons and symbols.
- 7). Power your OBD-II device down and remove its cable from the Cruiser's computer outlet. Turn off the engine.
- 8). Take your code list to your desktop computer. The EPA-approved OBD-II generic codes will likely be in your scanner's user's manual. They are often in the rear of the manual, in a special appendix. However, Chrysler and its family of automobiles use an additional set of codes. These will probably not be in your device's user's manual, and they will not be in the Cruiser's manual either. You will need to find these supplemental codes online.
- 9). Look up every OBD-II code on your list. Since you are looking for emissions issues, start with the alpha-numeric codes beginning with "P." Read the definitions next to the alpha-numeric codes, and underline any with wording that relates to emissions. This includes, but is not limited to, the Exhaust Gas Redirection system, and the array of other sensors within the Cruiser.
- 10
Return to your Cruiser and access the engine compartment. Troubleshoot fuel-system-related codes first. You may also need to put the cruiser on jack stands and access the vehicle's undercarriage. If you lack the necessary mechanical experience, you may want to consider taking the Cruiser to a Chrysler approved mechanic. Your special list of OBD-II codes will save you on diagnostic fees.
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